Housing rehabilitation grant now open to all qualifying La Salle residents

All qualifying La Salle residents now have the opportunity to apply for the Housing Rehabilitation Grant after the North Central Illinois Council of Governments opened applications.

More than 40 residents attended an informational meeting Thursday at City Hall regarding the city’s application for the grant. The program will renovate about 10 single-family homes.

The meeting gave residents an opportunity to ask questions or express any concerns before they began filling out their applications.

None of these things go through the city. The city doesn’t have the money. They’re not disbursing the money. They’re not seeing your applications. … It’s all confidential.

—  Connie Buchanan, NCICG grant administrator

Housing rehabilitation grants are available for owner-occupied homes. They are designed to assist low- to moderate-income homeowners with improvements to ensure safe and sanitary living conditions.

Eligible uses of funds include structural work, electrical, plumbing, new appliances, flooring and Americans With Disabilities Act-complaint and accessibility accommodations, among others.

In October, the La Salle City Council voted to put $20,000 from its general funds toward the $650,000 grant.

North Central Illinois Council of Governments of Housing Rehabilitation Grant Administrator Connie Buchanan said interested residents should apply as soon as possible, but there is no official deadline. They need about 15 qualifying applicants.

“I can make myself available for appointments,” she said. “If you need help with the application process, I can set up [at City Hall] or in my office. If you’re homebound, whatever it may be, I will help you through every step of the process.”

Buchanan said that for the first six months of the application process, NCICG accepts the applications and processes them, ensuring residents have the necessary support documents and meet eligibility requirements.

After that section of the application process is completed, Buchanan said she would compile the information and present it to the housing committee and could choose up to 10 homes. Referrals then will be made to the Tri-County for weatherization.

Homeowners will be contacted regarding their application status throughout the process. People with a low income, seniors and individuals with disabilities will be given the highest priority.

Buchanan said groups of two or three homes will be scheduled at a time, with all homes being completed within two years.

Residents questioned what type of work would be covered under the grant, with one man asking about tuckpointing outside of his home and another questioning updates to knob and tube electrical wiring.

Buchanan said they could do anything to preserve the home and make it more energy efficient.

Economic Development Director Curt Bedei reminded the public that just because someone submitted a survey doesn’t mean they submitted their home as a qualifier for the money.

Buchanan said those interested in applying can contact her, pick up applications at City Hall and print it from online. She said the application process is not done on a first-come, first-served basis. The application comes in a sealed manila envelope for privacy, and applicants can return the documents to City Hall.

“None of these things go through the city,” she said. “The city doesn’t have the money. They’re not disbursing the money. They’re not seeing your applications. … It’s all confidential.”

For more information, contact Buchanan at the North Central Illinois Council of Governments, 613 W. Marquette St., Ottawa; call 815-433-5830; or email cbuchanan@ncicg.org. Bedei can be reached at c.bedei@lasalle-il.gov.